The Mystagogy
St. Maximus the Confessor
Summary
A symbolic and theological interpretation of the church building and the Divine Liturgy, showing how the liturgical assembly mirrors the cosmos and the soul's journey to God.
Who Should Read This
Those who love the Divine Liturgy and want to explore its cosmic symbolism, architecture enthusiasts, readers of Cabasilas.
Key Excerpts
"The holy Church of God is an image and type of the entire cosmos."
— Chapter 2
"The church building is a man, and man is a church."
— Chapter 4
Editorial Commentary
Maximus interprets the Liturgy on three levels: cosmic (the church as image of the universe), ecclesial (the gathered community as the Body of Christ), and personal (the soul's inner transformation). This multi-layered approach to liturgical interpretation is quintessentially Orthodox. Shorter and more accessible than his other works, it is a natural companion to Cabasilas's Commentary on the Divine Liturgy.